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RECIPE FOR R&R
DIET IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN RECOVERY FROM INJURY OR ILLNESS. WE GET SOME ADVICE FROM BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM LTD ON HOW THE RIGHT NUTRIENTS CAN HELP DURING BOX REST AND REHABILITATION.
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period of rest and recuperation is inevitable during your horse or pony’s career, for example, as the result of lameness or colic or due to an illness or disease such as .laminitis, or following surgery. Diet plays an important role in supporting recovery from illness and repair of injured tissues such as bone, muscle or tendons by providing a number of nutrients which are needed to support the healing process. Protein is a crucial ingredient as it is broken down into amino acids during digestion which are used to build new proteins and tissues by your horse as they recover from illness or injury. Every protein in your horse’s body is made up of an ‘alphabet’ of 21 building blocks called amino acids. Although your horse is able to make some of these amino acids within their body, the remainder - essential amino acids - have to be supplied in their diet. Any deficiency in these essential amino acids can limit protein production in the body including those involved in repair and healing. During recovery from an injury or infection, or during exercise, the rate of protein manufacture within your horse’s body may increase, so attention needs to be paid
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to their diet to support their recovery. There are three basic rules: • Provide enough, but not too many, calories (energy). Your horse’s energy or calorie intake will be lower during box rest as they are less active. Even if they have just started back into work, energy intake should ideally be limited to keep them calm and so reduce the risk of further injury. • Provide a balance of nutrients. Fibre, protein and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals, all aid the healing process by supporting normal digestion, muscle function, immunity and respiratory health. • Provide a good quality protein source. Protein is needed to aid the recovery and repair of body tissues. By providing amino acids in the diet, the raw ingredients for protein synthesis are available to your horse. It may also help limit the amount of muscle mass which is lost during the rest period. Here are some tips to help you follow these rules:
FEED CONCENTRATES ON A ‘LITTLE AND OFTEN’ BASIS While your horse is on box rest, a concentrate feed that is high in fibre and low in starch is most suitable and this can be continued once exercise is re-introduced.
